Cortical Lesions Increase Risk for Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

Cortical lesions are present throughout the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course, with increased frequency in progressive MS. Investigators studied the value of cortical lesions for predicting development of secondary progressive (SP) MS in patients with relapsing remitting (RR) disease.

They enrolled 219 patients with RRMS and a mean disease duration of 8 years (range, 5–12 years). Cortical lesions (CLs) were detected in 76% of patients. Secondary progressive (SP) MS was diagnosed in 27%. SPMS was more frequent in those with a greater number of CLs. SPMS was also more prevalent in men, in patients with older age at onset, and in those who had a higher number of early exacerbations. Patients with two CLs had a twofold increased risk for de…